Walthamstow revival: flats in former Essex Brewery near new community hub where crafts and the arts are thriving

Craft beer, street food, live music… Walthamstow’s got what young Londoners want.
David Spittles29 July 2019

The craft beer boom is helping to revive run-down pockets of London by bringing back into use derelict railway arches and quirky industrial premises in formerly dodgy areas.

In fact, to spot an up-and-coming area just follow the trail of IPA-swigging hipsters.

Truman's, once the world's largest brewer, is opening a new community hub in Walthamstow, offering not just craft beer but street food and live music, a brewery school and museum.

Walthamstow, London's first Borough of Culture, is on a roll. A listed cinema, originally a Victorian music hall, is getting a £17 million face lift, one of 15 local arts projects.

Essex Brewery: a new development of 158 apartments, priced from £418,000

Another area highlight is William Morris Gallery, historic home of the influential 19th-century designer and poet. Walthamstow has a history of crafts and manufacturing and a new purpose-built "people's workshop" in Blackhorse Lane aims to encourage more locals to learn skills such as furniture making. For a small fee, anyone can rent a space or studio at the workshop.

Local property prices are defying the London trend, rising seven per cent over the last year.

Walthamstow Gateway, right next to the town centre Victoria line Tube station, has 79 flats priced from £420,000. Stamp duty refunds are on offer. Call Cushman & Wakefield on 020 3296 2222.

Ironically, former Essex Brewery in Walthamstow has been swallowed by a new development of 158 apartments, priced from £418,000. Many are available through Help to Buy, requiring a deposit of five per cent, plus developer Crest Nicholson is offering £1,000 per month for a year towards mortgage repayments. Call 020 3640 7577.

London Craft Beer Festival takes place at Tobacco Dock in Wapping and numerous venues across the capital on August 9 and 10.